Residents seek public consultation on Kodungaiyur waste-to-energy project

Objecting to the proposed Integrated Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant at the Kodungaiyur dump yard and seeking an immediate halt to all related infrastructure work, including recently sanctioned access roads, the Tamil Nadu Alliance of Residents Welfare Associations recently wrote to authorities to hold a public consultation regarding the project.

Notably, in January, the GCC Council approved construction of a cement concrete access road at the Kodungaiyur dumping ground at an estimated cost of ₹3.74 crore. Technical sanction for the work was granted on January 27, 2026.

In a letter dated February 10 to the GCC Commissioner and State officials, the association also opposed to increasing the capacity of bio-mining and waste-to-energy activities from 2,100 tonnes to 10,000 tonnes per day.

The association cited environmental and health concerns, stating that incineration of mixed and unsegregated waste releases pollutants, including dioxins and furans, affecting over three lakh residents in the surrounding areas.

It said the plant was estimated to generate 500 to 800 tonnes of toxic fly ash daily and referred to possible groundwater contamination near the Buckingham Canal.

The letter also referred to the Chennai Climate Action Plan and to reported operational issues in similar plants in other cities such as Hyderabad and Delhi. The association requested that the Chennai Corporation stop the project and conduct a transparent public consultation process before going further.